Monthly weather forecast and climate
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil BR

Rio de Janeiro has a tropical savanna type of climate (Köppen climate classification Aw) with hot and humid summers and warm winters. Rio de Janeiro is a coastal city, which is the capital of the state of Rio de Janeiro of Brazil. It lies in the proximity of the Guanabara Bay, close to the Tropic of Capricorn. The vast Atlantic Ocean keeps the temperatures warm throughout the year.

Rio de Janeiro lies in the southern hemisphere with an east-west shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean. The city has an elevation of 0 to 1020 meters above sea level with the beaches on the southern side and plains, hills, and mountains in the northern region. The topography consists of fragments from the Serra do Mar mountain chain as well as mangrove swamps in the Bay areas.

The tropical location gives Rio de Janeiro hot summers with the humidity, often crossing 80%. The average high temperature scales the 30°C (86°F) mark at the peak of summer in January as many days cross 37.8°C (100°F) in the inland areas of the city. Winters are warm at best, and the coldest month of July has the lowest average temperature of the year around 18.3°C (64.9°F). Both spring and autumn have mild temperatures and are wetter than the winter but drier than the summer. The average sea temperatures remain in the 22.2°C (72°F) to 26.1°C (79°F) range throughout the year due to the warm Brazilian Current. Snow is absent, but heavy rain, along with hail falls occasionally.

Rio de Janeiro registers around 2181 hours of annual sunshine as the coastal areas experience breezes that moderate the temperatures. Half of the annual precipitation of 1066.8mm (42") occurs from December to March, while the rest of the year is relatively drier. The nights are occasionally frosty during the winter during a cold front from the Antarctic.

The highest recorded temperature in Rio de Janeiro is 43.2°C (109.8°F), while the lowest temperature on record is 10.1°C (50.2°F).The best time to visit Rio de Janeiro is from May to October, which covers the entire winter and parts of spring and autumn. The temperatures are mild, and the driest conditions are during the winter. The sea temperatures are enjoyable in the absence of the summer heat and humidity. The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are a little wet and warmer than the winter.

The worst time to visit Rio de Janeiro is during the summer when the heat is at its peak. The season of carnivals and the swelling crowds start around February. The wettest period lasts from December to March, which brings heavy rainfall to the region. The humidity is high during the summer, and even the ocean waters register temperatures above 26.7°C (80.1°F). While the coastal areas are warm, the inland areas of the city consistently register high temperatures above 37.8°C (100°F).

Rio de Janeiro is prone to severe thunderstorms, severe floods, and landslides, mainly during the summer. The climate borders on the tropical monsoon type, which brings heavy rainfall to the region. Severe thunderstorms are frequent during the wet season, and torrential rain brings the danger of catastrophic floods. Landslides are a risky proposition during the periods of stormy and wet weather. The January 2011 floods and mudslides are hardly a single event, but it underlines the consequences of heavy rainfall in Rio.

January is usually the hottest month of the year in Rio de Janeiro, as the average high temperature climbs to 30°C (86°F). The days are hot, while the nights are warm and humid. Weather in January »

February is the sunniest month of the year in Rio de Janeiro with average temperatures in the 23.3°C (73.9°F) to 30°C (86°F) range. The nights are warm and the days routinely go past 32.2°C (90°F). Weather in February »

March has warm and muggy weather in Rio de Janeiro as the city receives 134.6mm (5.3") of rain. The average temperatures are in the 23.3°C (73.9°F) to 29.4°C (84.9°F) range. Weather in March »

April lowers the heat in Rio de Janeiro with the onset of the autumn season. The average temperatures drop in the temperate zone of 21.7°C (71.1°F) to 27.8°C (82°F). Weather in April »

May is the beginning of comfortable weather conditions in Rio de Janeiro with average temperatures in the 20.6°C (69.1°F) to 26.7°C (80.1°F) range. Weather in May »

June is the start of the pleasant winter season in Rio de Janeiro as the temperatures are steady, and the conditions are relatively dry. The rainfall is scarce to the tune of 43.2mm (1.7"). Weather in June »

July is the coldest month of the year in Rio de Janeiro with the average temperatures in the 18.3°C (64.9°F) to 25°C (77°F) range. The temperatures mostly stay in a warm range even in the peak of winter. Weather in July »

August is a balmy winter month in Rio de Janeiro as the average temperatures remain in the 18.9°C (66°F) to 25.6°C (78.1°F) range, and the humidity drops to the lowest of the year at 77%. Weather in August »

September is mild and ends the winter season with mostly dry weather. The humidity is bearable, while the average temperatures register in the range of 19.4°C (66.9°F) to 25.6°C (78.1°F). Weather in September »

October brings spring weather to Rio de Janeiro, as the city remains comfortable in the average zone of 20°C (68°F) to 26.1°C (79°F). Spring sees an uptick in rainfall with around 86.4mm (3.4"). Weather in October »

November ends the short spring season in Rio de Janeiro, with a slight increase in temperatures. The average temperatures lie between 21.7°C (71.1°F) to 27.2°C (81°F) as the daylight increases. Weather in November »

December starts the hot summer with humid conditions in Rio de Janeiro. The average temperatures are in the range of 22.2°C (72°F) to 28.3°C (82.9°F). Weather in December »
[Resources]